Wednesday's letters: Logical viewpoint

Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 6:16 p.m.

To the editor: The recent editorial column by Ron Kauffman was refreshing. It was accurate in clarifying the “assault weapon” issue based on fact, not emotion.

The media, as a general rule, continue to classify any weapon as an assault weapon based simply on its appearance rather than on its functionality. “Assault (appearance)” and “automatic” are not synonymous. Permits for automatic weapons are allowed in the U.S. by private citizens, but only under limited circumstances and with very lengthy background checks. They are scarce. Using scare tactics to change gun laws is despicable.

Thankfully, the general public has always seen past certain political ploys to change the Constitution regarding Americans’ right to bear arms.

With well-written editorial comment such as Mr. Kauffman’s, we are able to look at these issues logically. I hope the Times-News will continue to publish his insights.

Mark Haines

Hendersonville

Dependency

To the editor: The Bible contains many secular lessons. Consider Joseph (Genesis 39-50) and his legacy (Exodus 1-16).

Horatio Alger values are taught when Joseph’s perseverance propels him from innocent jailbird to deputy pharaoh. The Pharaoh’s seven fat, seven lean years dream introduces the business cycle. When Joseph’s government banks grain for the lean years, we learn Keynesian economics of save now, spend later, instead of progressive economics of spend everything now, then borrow.

We learn power corrupts. Joseph’s nepotism delivers prime Egyptian land to his father (Jacob). During the lean years, Joseph sells the people’s previously confiscated grain back to them. Crony capitalism emerges when the priest class gets free grain. Money gone, the people hand over their livestock and land in order to eat. After surrendering all opportunity to feed themselves, they sell themselves into government bondage. Thus, collectivism begets tyranny.

Fast-forward 400 years to Exodus. Jacob’s Faustian pact with Joseph’s progressive government has backfired into slavery. Jacob’s progeny head for the Promised Land. But liberty demands responsibility. Unaccustomed to either, they seek a return to Egypt. Such is the allure and destructiveness of big-government dependency. Fortunately, Moses sets them straight.

Where is our Moses?

Anthony Jeric

Hendersonville

‘Food Month’

To the editor: Looking through my calendar of national observances, it appears that October is turning into “Food Month,” and it began with World Vegetarian Day and World Day for Farm Animals on Oct. 1 and 2, continuing with National School Lunch Week Oct. 14-18 and World Food Day on Oct. 16, and culminating with Food Day on Oct. 24.

World Day for Farm Animals Day (www.WFAD.org) is perhaps the most dramatic of these. It celebrates the lives, exposes the abuses and memorializes the slaughter of billions of sentient animals raised for food.

Moreover, a recent Harvard study of more than 120,000 people confirmed once again that meat consumption raises mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Animal agriculture accounts for more water pollution than all other human activities. A 2011 United Nations report recommends eating less meat to reduce greenhouse gases.

The good news is that our meat consumption has been dropping by nearly 4 percent annually! Entering “live vegan” in a search engine brings lots of useful transition tips.

<p>To the editor: The recent editorial column by Ron Kauffman was refreshing. It was accurate in clarifying the assault weapon issue based on fact, not emotion.</p><p>The media, as a general rule, continue to classify any weapon as an assault weapon based simply on its appearance rather than on its functionality. Assault (appearance) and automatic are not synonymous. Permits for automatic weapons are allowed in the U.S. by private citizens, but only under limited circumstances and with very lengthy background checks. They are scarce. Using scare tactics to change gun laws is despicable.</p><p>Thankfully, the general public has always seen past certain political ploys to change the Constitution regarding Americans’ right to bear arms.</p><p>With well-written editorial comment such as Mr. Kauffman’s, we are able to look at these issues logically. I hope the Times-News will continue to publish his insights.</p><p><em>Mark Haines</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Dependency</h3>
<p>To the editor: The Bible contains many secular lessons. Consider Joseph (Genesis 39-50) and his legacy (Exodus 1-16).</p><p>Horatio Alger values are taught when Joseph’s perseverance propels him from innocent jailbird to deputy pharaoh. The Pharaoh’s seven fat, seven lean years dream introduces the business cycle. When Joseph’s government banks grain for the lean years, we learn Keynesian economics of save now, spend later, instead of progressive economics of spend everything now, then borrow.</p><p>We learn power corrupts. Joseph’s nepotism delivers prime Egyptian land to his father (Jacob). During the lean years, Joseph sells the people’s previously confiscated grain back to them. Crony capitalism emerges when the priest class gets free grain. Money gone, the people hand over their livestock and land in order to eat. After surrendering all opportunity to feed themselves, they sell themselves into government bondage. Thus, collectivism begets tyranny.</p><p>Fast-forward 400 years to Exodus. Jacob’s Faustian pact with Joseph’s progressive government has backfired into slavery. Jacob’s progeny head for the Promised Land. But liberty demands responsibility. Unaccustomed to either, they seek a return to Egypt. Such is the allure and destructiveness of big-government dependency. Fortunately, Moses sets them straight.</p><p>Where is our Moses?</p><p><em>Anthony Jeric</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Food Month’</h3>
<p>To the editor: Looking through my calendar of national observances, it appears that October is turning into Food Month, and it began with World Vegetarian Day and World Day for Farm Animals on Oct. 1 and 2, continuing with National School Lunch Week Oct. 14-18 and World Food Day on Oct. 16, and culminating with Food Day on Oct. 24.</p><p>World Day for Farm Animals Day (www.WFAD.org) is perhaps the most dramatic of these. It celebrates the lives, exposes the abuses and memorializes the slaughter of billions of sentient animals raised for food.</p><p>Recent undercover investigations showed male baby chicks suffocated in plastic garbage bags or ground to death, pigs clobbered with metal pipes, and cows skinned and dismembered while still conscious.</p><p>Moreover, a recent Harvard study of more than 120,000 people confirmed once again that meat consumption raises mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Animal agriculture accounts for more water pollution than all other human activities. A 2011 United Nations report recommends eating less meat to reduce greenhouse gases.</p><p>The good news is that our meat consumption has been dropping by nearly 4 percent annually! Entering live vegan in a search engine brings lots of useful transition tips.</p><p><em>Brett Rykers</em></p><p><em>Fletcher</em></p>